Plate lunchery makes greater impact in national limelight

The local restaurant business initially purchased to keep a mom busy has kicked it up a few notches -- nationally.

L&L moves up in R&I

L&L rankings among top 400 chains

Year

Rank

Sales (millions)

Units

2008

263

$90

180

2007

275

$80

168

2006

280

$69.5

139

2005

314

$56

112

Source: Restaurants & Institutions magazine

L&L Drive-Inn is what we call it here, but under its mainland moniker, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue's sales have moved it up to No. 263 from 275 among the Top 400 chain restaurants in Restaurants & Institutions magazine, an industry publication.

"We are very proud of our growth in the last three or four years," said L&L co-founder Eddie Flores.

All chains told, R&I reports that 2007 sales were up 5.4 percent from 2006, while 2006 sales increased 6.8 percent over 2005.

Chains still grew in 2007, but at a slower rate, down to just under 2 percent from just under 4 percent a year earlier.

The economy, higher fuel costs and soaring food costs have slathered the industry with a broad brush.

L&L has continued its growth, not just on the mainland in unexpected locations such as Texas, but has opened in American Samoa and plans openings in New Zealand and Japan, though no deals are yet signed for the latter, said Flores.